$3.2 Million Raised at 2015 Classic Wines Auction to Boost Local Charities
Portland, March 7th, 2015. The 31st Annual Classic Wines Auction (CWA) raised almost $3.2 million for charities in Portland and southwest Washington. Former New England Patriots Quarterback and Proprietor of Doubleback Winery, Drew Bledsoe, was bidding during the live auction. More than 875 people attended the event at the Oregon Convention Center. Fundraising from this year’s auction, and related events, benefit five charity partners dedicated to helping youth and families in the metro area: Metropolitan Family Service, New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children-Portland, YWCA Clark County and Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel.
Roger Hinshaw with Classic Wines Auction Main Sponsor, Bank of America, enjoys the evening with his wife Margaret and fellow Auction guest, Starla Goff
Speakers representing Classic Wines Auction charity partners, Metropolitan Family Service (MFS), New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children, YWCA Clark County and Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel pose in front of the BMW i8 before taking the stage
Chris Hermann, Classic Wines Auction Board Chair, is congratulated after placing the top bid for the highly coveted 2015 BMW i8 hybrid sports car
Auction guest Joe Aholt celebrates after an exhilarating live auction battle to win the second BMW i8. Thanks to presenting sponsor Kuni Automotive, two BMW i8 cars were auctioned off
Classic Wines Auction Executive Director Heather Martin (far left), poses with the 2015 Auction Co-Chairs (left to right) DJ Wilson, Peggy Maguire and Greg Goodwin
Auction guests toasted to another successful year and helped raise nearly $3.2 million to benefit children and families
The 2015 Classic Wines Auction Honorary Wine Ambassadors (left to right), Tony LeBlanc from Silver Oak (Calif.), Chris Mazepink from Archery Summit (Ore.), Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta from Sassicaia (Italy), and Drew Bledsoe from Doubleback Winery (Wash.)
Auction guests enjoyed wine tastings from more than 50 producers during the tasting reception, as well as chef presentations from six guest chefs representing some of Portland’s top restaurants
“With support from our incredible sponsors, donors, charity partners, winemakers and volunteers, we are able to significantly impact the lives of over 82,000 children and families in our community who are in need,” said CWA Executive Director Heather Martin.
Auction fundraising totals were announced on the heels of Wine Spectator releasing its annual list of the Top 10 Charity Wine Auctions in the country. The prestigious list is made up of major auctions from around the country, including events in Napa Valley and Sonoma.
“We are delighted to be recognized by Wine Spectator as one of the top ten charity wine auctions in the country. It’s a tribute to the generosity of our supporters and the importance of our fundraising efforts,” Martin added.
A wide range of packages, vintage wines and international excursions were auctioned off during the course of the evening. Following in the footsteps of the previous year, Kuni Automotive and Kuni BMW again donated two BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports cars. Two bidders in Portland each paid $160,000 for the cars, raising $320,000.
Other auction items included a luxury trip to Tuscany; wine tasting tours in France and Germany; trips to Pebble Beach, Calif., Whitefish, Mo., and the U.S. Open; and a heli-skiing vacation in the Canadian Rockies, among other packages.
Next year’s auction is scheduled for Saturday, March 5, 2016.
About Classic Wines Auction:
Consistently recognized as one of the top ten charity wine auctions in the country by Wine Spectator, the Classic Wines Auction has raised more than $36 million for Portland-area charities since its inception in 1982. Based in Portland, Ore., First Growth Children and Family Charities is a nonprofit organization dedicated to producing the Classic Wines Auction and related food and wine events to raise funds for local charities benefiting children and families, including: Metropolitan Family Service (MFS), New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children-Portland, YWCA Clark County and Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel. For more information about the Classic Wines Auction and each of its annual fundraising events, visit www.classicwinesauction.com.
